The first day of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) was dedicated to employment, recovery from the economic and financial crisis and gender equality. The ministers adopted conclusions on labour market inclusion and recovery from the financial and economic crisis, gender equality within the context of the post-Lisbon strategy and healthy and dignified ageing.

How is the labour market to recover from a recession?
The ministers discussed what measures should be taken in the event of a serious recession, in order to be able to deal with the negative impact on employment. The discussion also addressed measures that are necessary if the EU is to meet the future demographic challenge of an ageing population and increase labour supply in the long term. The Member States noted that employment is an important component in avoiding exclusion. In order to meet the challenges facing the EU, all concerned parties to the labour market must be involved.

The Council adopted conclusions on labour market inclusion and how the labour market is to recover from the economic and financial crisis. The conclusions emphasised the need for an active and inclusive labour market policy in combination with an active social security policy, in order to ensure high employment, sound public finances and high prosperity for all. Both the outcome of the discussion and the conclusions will now be passed on the heads of state and government at the European Council on 10–11 December.

Gender equality important for growth and employment
The Council adopted conclusions on gender equality within the context of the work on the continuation of the EU strategy for growth and jobs after 2010. The conclusions highlight the link between gender equality, economic growth and employment. In the conclusions, the Member States are urged to promote childcare and to reduce wage differentials and other gender-related differences on the labour market. The Council conclusions also call on the Spanish Presidency to work together with the Commission to include a section on gender equality in the key message from the EPSCO Council to the meeting of the European Council in spring 2010, when the new employment strategy will be discussed.

Equal treatment of self-employed men and women
The ministers discussed a proposal from the Commission on the principle of equal treatment of self-employed men and women. The objective is to make it easier for men and women to combine gainful work and family life. The proposal states that women who are self-employed and assisting spouses are to be entitled to a period of maternity leave, if they request it. Some of the Member States were critical to the proposal. However, in the end the Member States were able to come to a political agreement on the proposed text.
 
Parental leave
The Council adopted a political agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a new Directive on parental leave, which is to replace the Directive currently in force. The proposal aims to implement the new agreement on parental leave, which was signed during the summer by the European social partners at EU level.

The proposed Directive means, in short, the following changes:

• Parental leave increased from three to four months per parent and at least one of the four months shall not be transferable to the other parent.
• Employees who return from parental leave shall be able to request changes to their working hours for a limited period. The employer is obliged to consider and respond to such requests.
• Protection against less favourable treatment (not only against dismissal) for those who take advantage of their right to parental leave.

National legislation can go beyond the demands of the Directive.

Healthy and dignified ageing
The Council adopted conclusions on healthy and dignified ageing. In the conclusions, the importance of placing the individual in the centre and improving cooperation between the social and healthcare sectors is stressed, in order to guarantee dignity in care of the elderly.